Performance &

Industrial Chemistry

Despite being a very well-established industry, technical innovations in the chemical sector remain prolific. Industrial chemistry can be regarded as being essentially concerned with transformation – from basic chemicals into useful materials, in useful amounts – and with the processes that enable this transformation. Patent protection for the newly developed substances and materials, for the novel intermediates, methods and apparatus, as well as for new and exciting applications of previously known materials, is essential to ensure that these technical innovations are similarly transformed, into valuable commercial assets.

Our chemical patent specialists have experience of working with a wide range of chemical companies at all stages of development, from small start-ups interested in commercialising a new innovation, to large corporate clients with vast, multi-jurisdictional intellectual property portfolios.

As well as a particular focus on polymers and composites, our industrial chemistry IP experts have experience in obtaining, defending and advising on patents for a vast range of other chemical technologies and industries. We advise on the IP protection of innovative and useful developments in diverse areas including glass compositions, detergents, cosmetics and personal care products, dyes and pigments, paints and surface coatings, flavours and fragrances, adhesives and sealants, catalysts, and enzyme formulations. Our wealth of experience also covers fields including bulk process chemistry, electrochemistry, oil well bore chemistry and much more.

The chemistry patent team includes a large number of highly skilled and talented IP attorneys, all with strong chemistry backgrounds (many with PhDs) and a good understanding of the industry. Some have carried out academic research in the field or have first-hand chemical industry experience.

We are well placed to help you obtain, enforce and defend patent protection for the full range of inventions within this innovative and important sector. We can also advise on competitors’ IP and on how to mitigate any risks associated therewith. The team has considerable expertise in opposition & appeals before the European Patent Office, both defending patents granted to our clients and opposing patents granted to our clients’ competitors.

Find out more about protecting your innovations

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Agrochemicals

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Catalysts

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Process Chemistry

Open pages of Green IP Report

Green IP Report

Patents are both a driver and a barometer of innovation

Our report examines the role of patents in making innovative ‘green’ technologies into a reality as well as how the patent landscape can be used to identify opportunities for partnering, collaboration and investment.

We share our enthusiasm and admiration for commercially-focused innovation across a diverse range of technologies, from repurposing carbon dioxide to make protein-rich foods, to the multi-faceted approach to a circular plastics economy. We also discuss the tantalising prospect of AI-mediated renewable energy supply, and the harnessing of battery tech from the EV boom to drive energy efficiency in consumer devices. This report reflects our passion for technology solutions that tackle our shared global challenge.

Read our blogs

UPC Weekly - Have a second iron in the fire – hedging PI risk against the same medical device

UPC Weekly - Have a second iron in the fire – hedging PI risk against the same medical device

by Matthew Naylor

2025 Week 46 The last month or so has seen a significant number of decisions on preliminary injunctions (PIs) for medical devices. What’s been noticeable about many of these cases is that they come ...

From Compliance to Innovation: How Digital Product Passports Will Redefine the EU Supply Chain

From Compliance to Innovation: How Digital Product Passports Will Redefine the EU Supply Chain

by Darena Slavova

As Europe moves toward a circular economy, one of the most transformative regulatory shifts on the horizon is the introduction of Digital Product Passports (DPPs). From 2027, these data-rich ...

UPC Weekly - UPC Court of Appeal brings order to the galaxy

UPC Weekly - UPC Court of Appeal brings order to the galaxy

by Matthew Naylor

2025 Week 45 This week we report on two recent and important UPC Court of Appeal decisions. Each considers claim interpretation and the relevance of expert and experimental evidence to UPC ...

We work at every stage of the IP lifecycle

Protect

Drafting, Filing & Prosecution
Portfolio Management
Searching & Watching
Renewals & EP Validations

Defend

Pre-action Advice
Oppositions & Appeals
Litigation
Alternative Dispute Resolution

Exploit

Strategic Advice
Commercial Issues
Transactions
Corporate Support

Forward Magazines Overlapping 8

Mewburn Ellis

FORWARD MAGAZINE

Mewburn Ellis Forward is a biannual publication that celebrates the best of innovation and exploration. Through its pages we hope to inform and entertain, but also to encourage discussion about the most compelling developments taking place in the scientific and entrepreneurial world. Along the way, we’ll engage with the IP challenges that international organisations face every day.